Electro Optic Systems (EOS) announced plans to invest more than €10 million (about $11.5 million) to establish France as its European hub for AI-enabled counter-drone command-and-control (C2) systems, expanding the company’s presence in the region and strengthening Europe’s defense technology capabilities.
The new hub will be anchored by the headquarters of MARSS, the AI-powered command-and-control specialist that EOS recently acquired, and will be based in Nice. The investment is expected to create up to 150 jobs over the next three years, including engineering and software development positions focused on advanced defense technologies.
EOS said the initiative will support France’s efforts to strengthen defense sovereignty by enabling local ownership, production, and maintenance of critical technologies. The company also plans to explore opportunities involving high-energy laser weapon systems and space domain capabilities for France and the broader European market.
The announcement comes as European countries increase investment in air defense systems amid the growing proliferation of low-cost drones and emerging security threats. EOS noted that it is among a limited number of companies outside the United States capable of providing high-energy laser weapons and emphasized its strategy of offering technology transfer and local production capabilities to partner nations.
The French hub further expands EOS’s growing European footprint. The company recently secured the first export order for a 100-kilowatt-class laser weapon system from the Netherlands and has engaged in advanced discussions with Germany regarding future opportunities.
Through MARSS and its NiDAR platform, EOS offers AI-enabled command-and-control capabilities designed to provide 360-degree situational awareness across air, surface, sub-surface, and land domains. NiDAR has been deployed more than 60 times worldwide and integrates sensors and effectors to help detect, track, classify, and respond to threats.
Headquartered in Australia, EOS operates through its Defense Systems and Space Systems divisions, providing technologies that span remote weapon systems, vehicle turrets, high-energy laser weapons, counter-drone capabilities, and space surveillance solutions.
KEY QUOTES:
“France is making a decisive commitment to its defence sovereignty, and EOS is proud to support that ambition. Establishing our European hub in France allows us to deliver counter-drone and command-and-control capability that partner nations own, produce, and sustain on their own terms. This is what genuine industrial sovereignty looks like.”
“Establishing our European hub in France allows us to deliver counter-drone and command-and-control capability that partner nations own, produce, and sustain on their own terms.”
Dr. Andreas Schwer, Chief Executive Officer, Electro Optic Systems
